The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has
unanimously approved an ordinance making it unlawful for any person to
possess any synthetic drug for the purpose of providing, distributing, or
selling synthetic drugs.

The
ordinance was designed by the San
Bernardino County’s Sheriff Department to establish what the department
calls a multi-pronged approach to eliminate the sales of these substances which
have been documented to cause hallucinations, agitation, psychosis, aggression,
suicidal and homicidal idea-tions, cannibalism, and death. Recreational use of
these substances, also known as ‘bath
salts’, has gained popularity at an alarming rate among high school and
college-age individuals as well as among parolees and probationers.

The
purpose of the Synthetic
Drug Ordinance is to provide the County with the means to
address the dangers to the community posed by synthetic drugs that are not
regulated by state or federal law. “I am pleased that the Board of Supervisors
adopted a strong policy on these dangerous substances,” stated Ramos. “I hope
the community of Barstow takes pride in the fact that their efforts in dealing
with these dangerous substances were highlighted at the meeting.”

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon commends the efforts of the community members who
worked closely with the Department in dealing with this issue. “These dedicated
community members have been a driving force in garnering awareness of this
problem and opening law enforcement’s eyes to the extent of possible sales in
the county,” McMahon said.